Greek re-regulation may not include online casino
Sportsbook and poker could be re-tendered by early next year but slots could be omitted
Greece could re-tender its online licences as early as Q1 2016 but online casino may be omitted from the new regulation, eGaming Review has learnt.
The Greek regulator has already said that creating a new regulatory framework is a top priority, and that the re-tendering process could see new limitations on RNG games introduced.
Earlier this week Greek authorities announced a new tax charge on former state monopoly OPAP’s popular land-based keno game, in the hopes of raising around 300-400m extra a year.
To soften the blow to both OPAP and reeling land-based casino operators, the regulator is understood to be considering a black-out of online casino as part of the new framework, despite a number of foreign firms offering slots and live casino in Greece since receiving licences in 2012.
“It is still uncertain whether the new framework will extend its current limitations to include all RNG games, as recently commented on by the regulator,” a senior gaming executive in Greece told eGR.
“This would mean no virtuals, no slots and no online casino. So as far as games offered, I think it will probably just be poker, live casino and sports betting which will be regulated online,” the executive added.
The new licences will not be capped and should see the re-entry of a number of firms who have previously enjoyed success in the market.
One of those should be bwin, which said in August it planned to return to Greece in H2 following its withdrawal in the summer.
“We were the number one operator by far in Greece when we pulled out,” CEO Norbert Teufelberger said. “We believe we will be able to get back some of those customers.”